Internal latch in charging handle of firearm

Abstract

Firearms with improved systems and methods of retaining a charging handle within the firearm and charging handles for such firearms. In some embodiments, a spring, a portion or a majority of the latch, or both, are located, for example, within a hollow, inside the body of the charging handle. In certain embodiments, one or two levers on the charging handle can be pulled to release the latch and thereby release the charging handle. The lever(s) and latch are pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle in a number of embodiments. In some embodiments, the charging handle includes a stem and a bezel. The firearm can be a semi-automatic or a fully-automatic rifle, for example.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A firearm comprising a charging handle comprising a body and a latch that secures the charging handle within the firearm, wherein a majority of the latch is located within a hollow inside the body of the charging handle. 
     
     
         2 . The firearm of  claim 1  further comprising a spring that biases the latch relative to the body of the charging handle, wherein the spring is located inside the body of the charging handle. 
     
     
         3 . The firearm of  claim 1  wherein the charging handle comprises a lever and pulling on the lever releases the latch and thereby releases the charging handle. 
     
     
         4 . The firearm of  claim 3  wherein: the lever is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle; the latch is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle; and pulling on the lever causes the lever to rotate where the lever is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle and the rotation of the lever rotates the latch where the latch is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle releasing the latch and thereby releasing the charging handle. 
     
     
         5 . The firearm of  claim 1  wherein the body of the charging handle further comprises a stem and a bezel, wherein: the bezel is attached to the stem at a first end of the charging handle; and the hollow and the majority of the latch are located inside the stem. 
     
     
         6 . The firearm of  claim 1  wherein the charging handle further comprises a right lever and a left lever opposite the right lever, wherein the right lever and the left lever are each pivotably attached at a first end of the charging handle. 
     
     
         7 . The firearm of  claim 6  wherein pulling on either the right lever or the left lever releases the latch and thereby releases the charging handle. 
     
     
         8 . The firearm of  claim 6  wherein the charging handle further comprises a second end opposite the first end wherein: the latch is closer to the first end than to the second end of the charging handle; the body of the charging handle further comprises a stem extending from the first end to the second end; the body further comprises a bezel that is attached to the stem at the first end of the charging handle; and the hollow and the majority of the latch are located inside the stem. 
     
     
         9 . The firearm of  claim 6  wherein pulling on at least one of the right lever or the left lever causes at least one of the right lever or the left lever to contact the latch. 
     
     
         10 . The firearm of  claim 6  wherein: pulling on one of the right lever or the left lever causes the one of the right lever or the left lever to push the latch to release the charging handle; and pulling on an other of the right lever or the left lever causes the other of the right lever or the left lever to push the one of the right lever or the left lever to push the latch to release the charging handle. 
     
     
         11 . The firearm of any of  claim 1  wherein the firearm is a rifle configured to selectably fire in a fully-automatic mode and in a semi-automatic mode. 
     
     
         12 . A firearm comprising a charging handle comprising a latch that secures the charging handle within the firearm, the charging handle comprising a lever wherein puffing on the lever releases the latch and thereby releases the charging handle. 
     
     
         13 . The firearm of  claim 12 , the charging handle further comprising a spring that biases the latch relative to a body of the charging handle, wherein the spring is located inside the body of the charging handle. 
     
     
         14 . The firearm of  claim 12  wherein: the lever is pivotably attached to a body of the charging handle; the latch is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle; and pulling on the lever causes the lever to rotate where the lever is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle and the lever rotates the latch where the latch is pivotably attached to the body of the charging handle releasing the latch and thereby releasing the charging handle. 
     
     
         15 . The firearm of  claim 12  wherein: the charging handle comprises a right lever and a left lever opposite the right lever; and the right lever and the left lever are each pivotably attached at a first end of the charging handle. 
     
     
         16 . The firearm of  claim 15  wherein pulling on either the right lever or the left lever releases the latch and thereby releases the charging handle. 
     
     
         17 . The firearm of  claim 15  wherein: pulling on one of the right lever or the left lever causes the one of the right lever or the left lever to push the latch to release the charging handle; and pulling on an other of the right lever or the left lever causes the other of the right lever or the left lever to push the one of the right lever or the left lever to push the latch to release the charging handle. 
     
     
         18 . A charging handle for a firearm, the charging handle comprising a body, a latch that secures the charging handle within the firearm, and a spring that biases the latch relative to the body, wherein the spring and a majority of the latch are located within a hollow inside the body. 
     
     
         19 . The charging handle of  claim 18  wherein: the lever is pivotably attached to the body; the latch is pivotably attached to the body; pulling on the lever causes the lever to rotate where the lever is pivotably attached to the body; the lever rotates the latch where the latch is pivotably attached to the body; the body further comprises a stem and a bezel; and the bezel is attached to the stem at a first end of the charging handle. 
     
     
         20 . The charging handle of  claim 19  wherein: the charging handle comprises a right lever and a left lever opposite the right lever; the right lever and the left lever are each pivotably attached at a first end of the charging handle; puffing on one of the right lever or the left lever causes the one of the right lever or the left lever to push the latch; and pulling on an other of the right lever or the left lever causes the other of the right lever or the left lever to push the one of the right lever or the left lever.